1999 EOS, Paso Robles, Estate Bottled, Petite Sirah ($25). Alcohol level: 14.5%. We picked this one up at the winery during a â€™02 trip out there.

It is a black to eye as a wine can get. It gives you blackberries, black cherries, plums, and a hint of mint on the nose and upfront. A complex elixir of these fruits, along with an array of spices especially pepper caress the palate. Tannin is as smooth as a babyâ€™s bum. It gives you a toasty satisfying finish. We enjoyed one fantastic wine in this one.

We matched it with braised lamb shanks, brown Basmati rice, and peas. Delicious!

I've always liked the EOS line up particularly the PS which I've seen with really high alcohol levels...tasty stuff. Used to have a store nearby that offered EOS but no more and am having trouble finding some in this area.